Transparency in local NPOs

23 May 2013 – With the funding support from Research Center for Management and Sustainable Development (MSD), LIN Center for Community Development organized a NPO Advisory Group meeting that was attended by 15 participants from NPOs in HCMC.

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Linh, director of MSD, first introduced the concept of NPO transparency and accountability, and the project “Promoting development effectiveness for civil society organizations (CSOs) in Vietnam on transparency and accountability”. The project was managed by MSD and funded by Irish Aid. This pilot project had the participation of eight CSOs on transparency and accountability practice. The project aimed to establish best practices, and to build a principle toolkit on transparency and accountability as well as to encourage other CSOs to apply transparency and accountability. Currently, MSD and the project partners are in the process of establishing best practices and building the principle toolkit, monitoring system, evaluating CSO transparency and accountability and providing certification for best practice certificates in the next two years.

Next, Ms. Do Thi Phuong Anh, LIN accountant, shared experiences and lessons learnt on transparency and accountability through the LIN’s activities such as: report financial and tax reports to donors and publish it on the website and annual report. Furthermore, the lessons will be implemented in LIN’s policies that includes reminding our stakeholders during LIN workshops, meetings and events.

Currently, LIN Center is calling for participation from the NPO partners to get an audit. The NPOs will recieve 80% financial support for their audit fee from ECOVIS, an independent audit firm from now to the end of this June.

The Q&A and discussion gave participants, many representatives of voluntary group the chance to share their practices on transparency and accountability including: selecting an accountant from a group’s members, reporting on finances in each meeting, and informing all volunteers of the group’s activities.

“This NPO Advisory Group Meeting is organized every three months to bring a peer environment among HCMC NPO staff. With a specific topic at each meeting, participants share their learnt experience and lessons. The meeting is also an opportunity for NPOs to network for development” Mr. Pham Truong Son, LIN Deputy Director/Community Liaison, shared.